Rainwater collector and lid

ABSTRACT

A rainwater collector is provided that can mimic the appearance of a planter or flowerpot. The rainwater collector can comprise a modified container with a removable lid having an aperture to allow water discharged from a downspout to collect in the container. The lid can form a ring-shaped recession around the aperture. The recession can be filled with soil and plant material to support growth of plants and flowers. The combination of the lid and the container can provide a multiple purpose rainwater collector for use in housing plants, collecting rainwater and watering needs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to rain water collection containers, and more particularly, to a rainwater collector having a specialized lid for containing and growing flowers, plants and the like.

BACKGROUND

Rain barrels are commonly used for storage of rainwater to be later used for watering of lawns and gardens. Since many municipalities impose water bans during the hot summer months, storing rainwater can allow the watering of lawns and gardens without using municipal potable water resources and therefore lead to savings in water bills for the homeowners. If more individuals collected and dispersed rainwater to their gardens when required, demand on municipal water treatment facilities could be reduced during the growing season.

Rain barrels are known. However, their usage is limited only in collecting of the rainwater. Typical rain barrels or the like do not have other useful purposes besides serving as a reservoir for containing the rainwater. Accordingly, their location below the downspout can be esthetically unappealing, and be disruptive to the natural flow and beauty of plants and garden forming parts of the landscaping.

It is, therefore, desirable to have a rain barrel design that can serve an additional useful purpose other than collecting rainwater and that is more esthetically pleasing to the eye.

SUMMARY

A rainwater collector, for use with a drainage system, such as a roof drainage system, is provided. In one embodiment, the collector can comprise a container or a vessel having an opening at its upper end for collecting and retaining rainwater. The container can be shaped like a rain barrel. The collector can further comprise a lid, for enclosing the container opening, having at least one aperture therethrough to provide a passageway for rainwater entry into the container, and having a recessed portion for supporting or accommodating plant material.

In another embodiment, the collector can comprise a lid combined with a container to mimic the appearance of a plant container or flowerpot. The rainwater collector can accommodate soil and plant material on its top surface or lid to support the growth of plants, while maintaining the functionality of a rain barrel for collecting rain water and supplying moisture to the soil for plant maintenance.

In another embodiment, the lid enclosing the container opening can be releasably secured to the container. In a further embodiment, the lid can be integrally formed on the container.

In another embodiment, a specialized lid can be provided for use with a conventional rainwater container for collecting and storing rainwater. The lid can comprise a cover portion and a mounting portion configured to removably mount on an open end of the container. The cover portion can further comprise an inner and an outer annular wall, wherein the outer wall further comprises an annular sidewall extending radially therefrom. The inner annular wall can define an aperture that is sized and shaped to allow rainwater exiting from a roof drainage system of a house to enter the container. The aperture can be configured to form a fluid passageway when aligned with a downspout of the drainage system so as to direct rainwater into the container while also minimizing splashing onto the lid cover portion. A recessed portion can be positioned between the inner and outer walls, extending radially inward from the outer wall, and form an annular concave cavity capable of accommodating soil and/or plant material on its surface for growing plants.

In one embodiment, the concave cavity can surround at least a portion of the aperture. In another embodiment, the cavity can be located between the aperture and the outer wall. In a further embodiment, the cavity can have drainage perforations to allow excess water to escape from the lid.

In one embodiment, the lid can be shaped in the form of a disk-like structure having an interior recessed portion located at a predetermined distance away from the periphery of the lid. The recessed portion can form an aperture for providing a passageway for allowing rainwater flow through lid. In one embodiment, the disk-like structure can be in the form of a torus shaped ring structure having a concave recessed portion surrounding an aperture that is generally centrally located.

In another embodiment, a filtering element can be provided for filtering debris and other contaminants from rainwater before it is collected in the container or vessel. Overflow perforations can also be provided for controlling the amount of rainwater collected in the container.

In another embodiment, a kit of parts can be provided comprising a container having an opening at its upper end for collecting and retaining rainwater, and a lid that can be secured to the container, the lid forming at least one aperture therethrough for guiding rainwater into the container and having a recessed portion for supporting plant material. The lid can be integral to the container, or can comprise means for releasably securing the lid to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a rainwater collector comprising a rain barrel having a specialized lid positioned to receive rainwater collected by a downspout.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view depicting the rain barrel and the lid of FIG. 1 showing rainwater flowing from a downspout through the aperture in the lid into the rain barrel.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view depicting the lid of FIG. 1 comprising a cavity and an aperture, the lid positioned near a downspout.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the lid of FIG. 1 comprising a filtering element and drainage perforations along a bottom portion of a cavity disposed on the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows rainwater collector 1 comprising vessel or container 4 that can be in the form of rain barrel having lid 6. Container 4 can be used to collect and store rainwater exiting from a typical drainage system of a house that can be in the form of drain system 18. A drainage controller can be provided in the form of spigot 10 located on a lower portion of container 4 to allow emptying of rainwater collected when desired. In one embodiment, lid 6 can be positioned at the upper end of container 4 to releasably enclose the opening defined by the upper end of container 4 and can further be adapted to contain soil, plant material and other matter to support the growth of plants and flowers 14. The combination of lid 6 and container 4 can provide multiple purpose rainwater collector 1 for housing plants, collecting rainwater and watering needs.

In appearance, rainwater collector 1 can be designed to resemble a plant container to suit with the landscaping and decor of the house exterior to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. Other additions and decorative features can be incorporated with rainwater collector 1 to further enhance its aesthetic appearance is possible. For example, rainwater collector 1 can have decorations on its surface as shown in FIG. 1 as well as having particular surface textures and colours, and material compositions.

In one embodiment, rainwater collector 1 can be formed of molded high-density polyethylene, rubber, metal, aluminum, vinyl or other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, container 4 can be provided with means for controlling overflow of liquid collected in container 4. In another embodiment, container 4 can comprise one or more overflow perforations 26 that can be disposed or spaced about the circumference of container 4 to form a ring pattern around the periphery of container 4. In a representative embodiment, overflow perforations 26 can be approximately 5 millimeters in diameter. During periods of heavy rain, overflow perforations 26 can allow rainwater to drain from container 4, thus reducing overflowing of container 4. Alternatively, container 4 can be fitted with overflow openings extending around the periphery of container 4, above spigot 10, so as to minimize collected water in container 4 from overflowing up through or past lid 6.

FIG. 2 illustrates one possible arrangement of rainwater collector 1 relative to a downspout of house drainage system 18. Rainwater 22 is received in the open, upper end of container 4 through aperture 8 located on lid 6. Lid 6 can be sized and shaped to sufficiently cover opening 12 located at or near the upper end of container 4. Lid 6 can be configured to cooperate with lip 11 of container 4 so as to firmly and snuggly fit over opening 12 while also being easily removable when desired. When lid 6 is removed from opening 12 of container 4, rainwater 22 may be accessed.

Referring to FIG. 3, lid 6 is shown resting on of the upper end of container 4. Aperture 8 of lid 6 can be configured to form a fluid passageway when aligned with drainage system 18 so as to direct rainwater into container 4 below, while also minimizing splashing. Aperture 8 can be of various shapes and configurations such as circular, square triangular, trapezoidal or polygonal so long as the aperture corresponds generally with opening 20 of drainage system 18 so that rainwater can be effectively directed through aperture 8 and into container 4. In a representative embodiment, aperture 8 can be generally circular and approximately 6 inches in diameter to allow rainwater 22 flowing from downspout opening 20 to freely access container 4.

In another embodiment, lid 6 can be fashioned with handhold 9 for a user to raise lid 6 away from container 4 for easy access. As shown in FIG. 3, lid 6 can be filled with soil and plant material 14 to support the growth of flowers and other plants. This gives rainwater collector 1 the appearance of a flowerpot while functioning as a rainwater collector and watering reservoir. As is evident from the description above, lid 6 can be adapted to enclose a top portion of container 4 and be removable if needed. Lid 6 can also be integrally formed on container 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, lid 6 is shown having at least one aperture 8, which can be centrally located to provide a passageway for rainwater to enter into container 4. Lid 6 can comprise cover portion 7 and mounting portion 13 configured to removably mount on an open end of container 4. Cover portion 7 can comprise inner annular wall 5 and an outer annular wall 15 having an annular sidewall 16 extending radially therefrom. Inner wall 5 can define aperture 8, which can be custom sized and have predetermined shapes to effectively accommodate flow of rainwater through aperture 8.

In one embodiment, lid 6 can comprise recessed portion 17 disposed between inner annular wall 5 and out annular wall 15. Recessed portion 17 can extend radially inward from outer wall 15 and form annular concave cavity 19 capable of accommodating soil and/or plant material 14 on its surface for growing plants. Concave cavity 19 can surround at least a portion of the aperture 8. Cavity 19 can be located between aperture 8 and outer wall 15.

In one embodiment, lid 6 can be shaped in the form of a disk-like structure having interior recessed portion 17 located at a predetermined distance away from the periphery of lid 6. Recessed portion 17 can form aperture 8 for providing a passageway for allowing rainwater flow through lid 6. The disk-like structure can be in the form of a torus-shaped ring structure.

In another embodiment, lid 6 can comprise one or more drainage perforations 24, which can be located along bottom portion 23 of lid 6. Drainage perforations 24 can be dimensioned so as to effectively allow excess water to drain from recessed portion 17 into container 4.

In another embodiment, lid 6 can be provided with filtering screen 25 for filtering the rainwater before it enters container 4. Filtering screen 25 can be associated with aperture 8, either above it or below it. In a further embodiment, filtering screen 25 can be positioned below lid 6, between lid 6 and container opening 12. In yet another embodiment, filtering screen 25 can be disposed within container 4 positioned above spigot 10. In the illustrated embodiment, filtering screen 25 is shown as a screen or mesh although it is obvious to those skilled in the art that any suitable medium or material for filtering water can be used as filtering screen 25.

In one embodiment, a kit can be provided for a rainwater container that can comprise lid 6, as described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, and a set of instructions for assembling the kit with the container. In another embodiment, the kit can include filter means for filtering rainwater entering the container through lid 6. The filter means can include filtering screen 25 to be used in association with aperture 8. The filter means can also include any other suitable water filtering media for use either in association with aperture 8 and/or within the container itself. In a further embodiment, the kit can include access means for accessing water collected in the container; the access means being adapted to be operatively attached to the container and to allow water to be removed from the container. In one embodiment, the access means can comprise spigot 10 which can further comprise means for piercing the sidewall of the container and attaching spigot 10 to the container sidewall. These means can further comprise sealing means disposed between spigot 10 and the container sidewall to prevent collected water from leaking from the container once spigot 10 is attached thereon. In other embodiments, the kit can further comprise the container.

Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the rainwater collector described herein. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow. 

1. A rainwater collector, for use with a roof drainage system, comprising: a) a container, having an opening at its upper end, for collecting and retaining rainwater from the drainage system; and b) a lid adapted for enclosing the opening of the container, the lid forming at least one aperture extending therethrough for guiding rainwater from the roof drainage system into the container, the lid further comprising a recessed portion for supporting plant material thereon.
 2. The collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises an inner annular wall defining the at least one aperture and an outer annular wall having an annular sidewall extending radially therefrom, the recessed portion disposed between the inner and outer annular walls.
 3. The collector as set forth in claim 2 wherein the recessed portion further comprises an annular concave cavity surrounding the at least one aperture.
 4. The collector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the recessed portion further comprises one or more drainage perforations whereby excess water can drain from the recessed portion into the container.
 5. The collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lid is integral to the upper end of the container.
 6. The collector as set forth in claim 2 wherein the sidewall comprises a mounting portion for releasably securing the lid to the upper end of the container.
 7. The collector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a filter screen for filtering the rainwater.
 8. The collector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the filter screen is associated with the at least one aperture.
 9. The collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container further comprises one or more overflow perforations for preventing water overflow from the container.
 10. The collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container further comprises a spigot for accessing the rainwater from the container.
 11. A lid for enclosing the upper open end of a rainwater container, comprising: a) a cover portion adapted for enclosing the open end of the container, the cover portion forming at least one aperture extending therethrough for guiding rainwater into the container, the cover portion further comprising a recessed portion for supporting plant material thereon; and b) a mounting portion for releasably securing the lid to the container.
 12. The lid as set forth in claim 11 wherein the cover portion further comprises an inner annular wall defining the at least one aperture and an outer annular wall having an annular sidewall extending radially outwardly therefrom, the recessed portion disposed between the inner and outer annular walls.
 13. The lid as set forth in claim 12 wherein the recessed portion further comprises an annular concave cavity surrounding the at least one aperture.
 14. The lid as set forth in claim 13 wherein the recessed portion further comprises one or more drainage perforations whereby excess water can drain from the recessed portion into the container.
 15. The lid as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a filter screen for filtering rainwater.
 16. The lid as set forth in claim 15 wherein the filter screen is associated with the at least one aperture.
 17. A kit for a rainwater container for use with a roof drainage system, comprising: a) a lid having a cover portion adapted for enclosing an opening disposed on the upper end of the container, the cover portion comprising at least one aperture extending therethrough for guiding rainwater from the roof drainage system into the container, the cover portion further comprising a recessed portion for supporting plant material thereon; b) means for releasably securing the lid to the container; and c) a set of instructions for the assembly of the kit.
 18. The kit as set forth in claim 17, wherein the cover portion further comprises an inner annular wall defining the aperture and an outer annular wall having an annular sidewall depending radially therefrom, the recessed portion disposed between the inner and outer annular walls.
 19. The kit as set forth in claim 18 wherein the recessed portion further comprises an annular concave cavity surrounding the at least one aperture.
 20. The kit as set forth in claim 19 wherein the recessed portion further comprises one or more drainage perforations whereby excess water can drain from the recessed portion into the container.
 21. The kit as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a filter screen for filtering the rainwater.
 22. The kit as set forth in claim 21 wherein the filter means is associated with the at least one aperture.
 23. The kit as set forth in claim 17 wherein the kit further comprises a spigot for accessing the water from the container, the spigot being adapted to be operatively attached to the container and allow collected water to be removed from the container.
 24. The kit as set forth in claim 11 further comprising the container.
 25. The kit as set forth in claim 24 wherein the container further comprises one or more overflow perforations peripherally spaced around the circumference of the container for preventing water from overflowing from the container. 